He acts really awkward around me?

Last year, I got quite close with this guy and we were together a lot. Then everyone around us started saying we liked each other and that we should date. Really immature, I know. So whatever, that happened and we both just denied but the rumours didn't stop.

Here's the problem. We grew apart after last year and now we barely talk and I have to admit, I actually miss him a bit. Everytime we do, I always find it really awkward (I don't know how he feels) and to me, it seems like he acts really awkward. I don't know whether it's because he actually liked me or whether it's just his personality. From what I hear, whenever someone says that he liked me to him he gets really weird.

I don't know whether I developed feelings for him or not because when rumours like these start, I usually tend to deny no matter what. I wish we at least talked though. It's almost like everytime we talk we're weirded out by the fact that someone might start rumours again.

This is so stupid. But what should I do? And how do you think he feels about me?